Chateau Batailley – 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac – 2017

Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
The vineyards of Batailley today comprise about 60 hectares, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Batailley is the flagship of the family Castéja and Borie-Manoux. The name is derived from a battle fought on this territory during the 100-years war in the 14th century. Batailley’s wine is an intensive Pauillac typically with blackcurrant and a robust body. The wine continues to obtain very high rankings and recommendations from the international wine press.

THE VINTAGE:
Overall winter was slightly warmer than average, although January was extremely cold and dry. A warm spring encouraged early budburst, with mild conditions continuing in April. However, late April saw temperatures suddenly drop and extreme frost occurred, resulting in the lowest yield across Bordeaux in 25 years. May brought sunshine and warmer temperatures, resulting in successful flowering and good weather continued throughout June. Summer saw some heat spikes, with rainfall at the end providing relief for the vines. The 2017 wines tend to be well balanced with a good fruit-forward character.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
Château Batailley is one of the oldest Estates in Pauillac. Its name goes back to the last battle of the Hundred Years’ war in Medoc, which took place on the plateau that descends to Château Latour. The house, which was remodelled in the XVIIIth century, is surrounded by a beautiful park of six hectares, designed by the famous Barillet Deschamps. The area under vine is 58 hectares and the average age of the vines is 40 years. The vineyard faces the Château on a beautiful gravel plateau. This great soil of thin gravel has natural drainage, which makes it perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The vines are pruned according to the double Guyot method and the vines are cultivated according to sustainable viticulture with reduced spraying, de leafing, cropping thinning and a strict control of yields on a plot by plot basis.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes were hand-harvested with great care and vinified for four weeks in stainless steel vats under temperature controlled conditions. The wine was aged in French oak barrels, 60% of which were new, for a period of 18 months, before being bottled at the Château.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A beautifully smooth and elegant wine showing classic notes of cedar, sweet blackcurrant, raspberry coulis and fruitcake with smoky nuances of tobacco and liquorice. Abundant sweet tannins and a good full-bodied structure surround the depth and complexity of flavours through to a long, harmonious finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Cabernet Sauvignon 80%, Merlot 17%, Petit Verdot 3%.

AWARDS:
• 93 Points, Jane Anson, 2024
• 16.5 Points, Jancis Robinson MW, 2024